Portfolio Jobs
Want to work with a fintech focused on creating a fair finance system? Check out these job openings across the globe.
Project Associate (Debris and Waste Management)
Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Posted on Aug 27, 2026
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
On 28 March 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing significant human and material losses across Mandalay and surrounding areas. The disaster further exacerbated existing humanitarian and development vulnerabilities, particularly in communities already affected by conflict, displacement, and poor access to essential services. In response, UNDP has launched the Earthquake Response – Community Led Recovery and Reconstruction Project to support inclusive and resilient recovery through early restoration of livelihoods, infrastructure, and essential services, with an emphasis on community leadership and local economic revitalization.
A key part of project intervention involves Debris and Waste Management activities, which include:
- Debris removal for community restoration in townships, following the proper disposal procedures.
- Debris cleans up from uncontrolled disposal sites, following the environmental standards and proper disposal at designated sites.
- Demolition of damaged structures and material recovery per safety standards and recycling procedures.
- Establish debris and waste recycling centers and associated livelihoods activities through community mobilization, capacity building and provision of equipment.
- Management of hazardous waste/asbestos
- Public awareness campaigns on debris and waste management, including on safety and hazardous waste
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Associate will coordinate the Debris and Waste Management team in the Earthquake Response Project, providing essential operational, administrative, and logistical coordination to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities and processes.
Scope of Work
The Project Associate will provide technical guidance, planning, and monitoring of implementation, and coordination for debris and waste management activities.
Summary of Key Functions:
1.Support Debris and Waste Management Activities Planning, Implementation, and Monitoring:
- Coordinate assessments including site visits for data collection on needs and project feasibility, ensuring the use of standardized assessment methodologies for rigorous documentation.
- Organize and deliver training sessions on debris assessment methodologies, safety protocols, and engineering reporting.
- Coordinate developing awareness materials promoting safe debris and waste management practices among affected communities.
- Support and the preparation of developing detailed activity plans for Debris and Waste Management activities.
- Monitoring and provide the guidance the debris activities to ensure adherence to design plans, safety standards, and quality requirements.
- Coordinate monitoring, including the use of standardized technical checklists and tools, with UNDP engineers and community recovery or development structures. Conduct regular monitoring and ensure compliance with technical standards.
- Track progress and report updates to relevant stakeholders.
2. Coordination in the technical expertise guidance
- Provide technical guidance on assessment methodologies, review findings for technical accuracy, and identify critical patterns to recommend appropriate intervention strategies.
- Support in the planning, design, and implementation of Debris and Waste Management activities requiring technical input and oversight.
- Cooperate to identify appropriate technical interventions for debris infrastructure needs and provide hands-on support to community groups during execution.
- Organise regular technical training sessions to enhance skills and promote knowledge sharing.
- Evaluate complex engineering designs to ensure compliance with industry standards, environmental considerations, and technical best practices.
3. Support to improve project efficiency and effectiveness through process optimization.
- Support to ensure proper verification processes, such as Environmental and Social Management Framework compliance checks, and assess engineering workflows to enhance efficiency and reduce bottlenecks throughout project phases.
- Coordinate and analyse project performance data to evaluate progress, identify gaps, and develop strategies for continual improvement based on evidence-driven insights.
4. Support stakeholder engagement:
- Liaise effectively with other UN agencies, NGOs, community representatives, and other partners to facilitate transparent and inclusive assessment processes and co-develop rebuilding strategies.
- Compile and present comprehensive reports that clearly communicate assessment findings, progress updates, and recommended actions to internal and external stakeholders.
- Work closely with reconstruction teams to convert technical assessments into practical recovery interventions, ensuring alignment with project goals and community needs.
- Support the integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations into project activities by promoting the meaningful participation of women, men, and vulnerable groups in assessments, planning, implementation, and monitoring processes, in line with UNDP policies and standards
5. Support Quality Control and Assurance
- Coordinate across teams and stakeholders to align interventions, prevent duplication, and maximize effective use of resources throughout project implementation.
- Integrate quality control mechanisms into all types of support provided. Maintain thorough documentation to verify compliance with technical standards and reinforce accountability.
- Establish rigorous quality control protocols throughout the engineering lifecycle, ensuring consistent adherence to best practices, industry benchmarks, and UNDP standards.
- Coordinate and support regular spot checks and monitoring of engineering activities to proactively detect issues, enforce compliance, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
- Generate clear and comprehensive quality assurance reports to keep stakeholders informed, facilitate accountability, and guide decision-making.
6. Support Knowledge Sharing, Reporting and Monitoring:
- Produce detailed progress reports on debris management activities, highlight operational gaps, and propose strategies for improvement.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Associate works under the supervision of the Project Manager, Earthquake Response Project, with expert technical guidance from the Debris and Waste Management Specialist. As a member of the Project Management Unit, the Project Associate works closely with other team leads, technical advisors and experts, partners, beneficiaries, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of the project.
Competencies
| Core | |
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline |
| Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements |
| Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback |
| Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible |
| Act with Determination: | LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident |
| Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination |
| Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
|
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
|
Experience:
A minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience and experience in the technical/ engineering field in international organizations, focused on supporting debris and waste management, recovery, shelter and infrastructure projects.
Required skills
|
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
|
Required Language(s)
Fluency in Myanmar and English is required.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
Duties and Responsibilities